Health Report 8-17-07

Friday

Throughout August, the Yarmouth Council on Aging, 528 Forest Rd. in South Yarmouth, will host a series of events to give seniors a hand with health, crafts, travel and more.

On Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. join the council on aging for an ice cream social featuring music by Reggie O'Keefe.

On Aug. 24 at 1 p.m., the council will host a sleep study by a Brigham and Women's Hospital professor. The study will present information on "sleep: what it is and why you should do it more." At 2 p.m., John and Regina McCarthy will present "Travelogues," a series of stories about travel. For more information or to register for any event call the center at 508-394-7606.

Cardiology learning center deals with weighty issues

The Holistic Cardiology Learning Center will present a free seminar at 7 p.m. on Aug. 30 on losing weight holistically. Dr. Kristine L. Soly will conduct the seminar at 923 Route 6A in Yarmouthport. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 508-362-5925.

Coping with cancer

The American Cancer Society will host a four-week "I Can Cope" for patients with cancer and their caregivers Aug. 23 through Sept. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the L. Paul Lorusso Conference Center at Cape Cod Hospital. The sessions will feature question and answer sessions with doctors, nurses and experts and support. For more information call the ACS at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Dare To Be Alive aids with organ transplants

Dare To Be Alive, a non-profit group whose goal is to enrich the lives of organ donor recipients and their families, holds an organ transplant social group every third Tuesday of the month at Cape Cod Hospital from 7 to 9 p.m. The meeting lets organ transplant patients and their families meet with others and discuss the experience. To RSVP to the group, contact coordinator Bob at 774-269-1283.

CCH helps hearts with raffle

The Barnstable branch of the Cape Cod Hospital Auxiliary is holding a raffle for $10,000. Proceeds from the $100 tickets (only 300 are available) will go toward the hospital's Cardiac Care Center. Tickets can be split between four people and can be purchased at 508-771-4390 or 508-375-0376. Tickets must be purchased by Aug. 30. The drawing will be held Sept. 13.

Parent support group seeks members, leaders

The Care Organization for Rights of the Disabled (CORD), 1019 Iyannough Road #4 in Hyannis, is looking to start a support group for parents of adolescents with disabilities. The group is also searching for a facilitator. For more information or if you are interested in joining or helping out, contact Coreen Brinckerhoff at 508-775-8300 ext. 23 or coreen@cape.com

The new Kids and Teens Behavioral Health Assessment Center, 11 Potter Ave. in Hyannis, is open. The center provides families with behavioral health assessments and treatment plans, as well as referrals and information about behavioral health services.

In Harwich, Cape Cod Healthcare recently opened a new rehabilitation facility at Fontaine Medical Center, funded by a $500,000 donation from Harwich resident Helen Murdock. For more information on the center, call 508-430-3320.

Palliative Care of Cape Cod cares for kids

The Pediatric Palliative Care Team of Cape Cod has expanded its supportive services for young people with life-limiting illnesses. The program is designed to help children, infants and adolescents with illnesses such as cancer, organ failure, HIV and cystic fibrosis. Referrals to the program can be made by health care professionals, community agencies, caregivers or families by calling 508-957-0200. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

VNA helps the young at heart

The Visiting Nurses Association, in conjunction with the Massachusetts chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, will offer 10-week sessions of the Young at Heart/PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise) at 13 Cape locations. The program combines weight training, aerobics, endurance training and calisthenics. Each session meets twice a week. A low-cost fee and a doctor's approval are required for participation. For more information on location or registration, or to observe a class, call 877-267-7700.

VNA wants volunteers

The Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod Hospice is offering a volunteer training program for those wishing to learn how to care for patients and families receiving end-of-life care. The class will prepare participants to become hospice volunteers. For more information on becoming a volunteer, call Eileen Urquhart, hospice volunteer coordinator, at 508-957-7718.

VNA offers screenings for men

The Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod, through the Men's Health Partnership, offers free health screenings to men ages 18 to 64 who are uninsured and underinsured. The screenings will be held across the Cape on various dates. Lab visits include tests for glucose, cholesterol and prostate screenings for men over 50 (or 40 if African American or with a family history), height, weight, and blood pressure levels, as well as discuss any questions. The screenings include a physician visit.

To enroll in the program and schedule an appointment, or for more information, call 1-888-557-9994.

Cost for the class is $25 for members of the studio, $30 for nonmembers. Four participants for each class maximum. For more information or to sign up, call 508-548-2559 or visit www.CapeCodPilates.com.

Center for Breastfeeding offers help for moms

The Center for Breastfeeding, 327 Quaker Meeting House Rd. in East Sandwich, offers classes for moms and kids during the summer. Free lactation counseling and pump and supplies use are also available.

For class times, prices or more information call 1-888-890-2229 or 508-888-7794.

Therapeutic massage now at RHCI

Individuals seeking relief from pain and stress have access to therapeutic massage at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands in Sandwich. Services are provided by Lucia Grinsell, a nationally certified massage therapist and physical therapy assistant at RHCI. Flexible hour-long and 1.5-hour long appointments are available for this self-pay program. Massage therapy is for those seeking to reduce pain, swelling, blood pressure, heart rate, tension, or everyday stress. For more information call RHCI Sandwich at 508-833-4141 or RHCI Bourne at 508-743-0465.

Fun and fitness

Fun and Fit After 40, an exercise class that incorporates stretching, toning, low impact aerobics, and mat work, is being offered from 4:45 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays weekly at the Yarmouth Senior Center. The first class is free, with subsequent classes costing $5 each. Participants must have their own mat and weights. For more information call 774-268-9259.

Adult exercise classes

Get in shape by joining Live for Life classes offered by the YMCA Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. at the Dennis Senior Center and St. Pius Church. Admission is $28 per month and registration is done on-site. Classes are also offered at the Dennis Senior Center and St. Pius Church on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., with a men's class at the Yarmouth Senior Center from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Classes are also offered at the Bourne Community Center on Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

For more information call Dianne Frances at the YMCA at 508-362-6500 ext. 106 or visit www.ymcacapecod.org.

The Young at Heart/PACE exercise program, a combination of weight training, aerobic, endurance and flexibility exercises, is held through the VNA and the Massachusetts Chapter of the Arthritis Foundations at community sites across the Cape. Each session runs for 10 weeks. Call 877-267-7700 for more information.

DVD helps children who stutter

A DVD entitled

Stuttering and Your Child: Help for Parents is available in English and Spanish at the Hyannis Public Library and the Wheldon Memorial Library in West Barnstable. The video addresses common concerns about stuttering.

Christian recovery group helps with healing

The Christian Recovery Fellowship holds a daily meeting on Mondays from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Salvation Army Worship and Services Center on North Street in Hyannis. The open-discussion, Christ-based meeting is designed to provide a safe, confidential environment for those "searching, struggling with alcohol, drugs, hurts, habits, shortcomings or hang-ups of all kinds." Meetings are open to all and free of charge. The group has been meeting since 2002. Contact Charlie Markarian at 508-775-5733, or e-mail charlie5733@hotmail.com.

Rehabilitation Hospital offerings

Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands, 311 Service Road in East Sandwich, hosts a

fibromyalgia support group the fourth Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A stroke support group meets the second Wednesday of the month from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The VNA Mobile Health Link Van will be at RHCI the first Monday of every month from noon to 4:30 p.m. for free health screenings. The aphasia community group meets the first Tuesday of the month from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous meets Sundays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The Well-Spouse Support Group meets every third Thursday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Healthy Hearts outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs are offered at 6 a.m. The MS Support Group meets the third Sunday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. MS Tai Chi meets the first and third Saturdays of the month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. A mild brain injury and aneurysm support group meets the third Saturday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m. Hearing screenings are held the second Wednesday of each month by appointment (508-833-4141) RHCI offers a Stroke Peer Visitation Program. Call for details or if you want to volunteer as a peer visitor. Call 508-833-4000 for other programs and details.

Asthma support group

Dr. Paul Sklarew leads an asthma support group at the Allergy and Asthma Center of Cape Cod, 244 Willow St. in Yarmouthport. Call 508-362-0099 for more information.

Mended Hearts meets at CCH

Members of the Mended Hearts group meet every third Thursday at 4 p.m. at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis to discuss heart disease and share experiences. Those with heart disease and members of their family are welcome to attend. This month's meeting will take place on March 15 in the Martin's Conference room. Pharmacist Dr. Robert Marino will answer questions about medications with heart disease and diabetes. Call 508-385-4313 or visit www.capecodmendedhearts.com for more information.

Support group in Yarmouth

A changes and loss support group meets at the Yarmouth Senior Center, 528 Forest Rd. in South Yarmouth, at 11 a.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month.

Adult social day program

The Barnstable Senior Center on Route 28 in Hyannis hosts the Barnstable Adult Social Day Care Program. The group operates from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, in an effort to help elders maintain independence. Call 508-862-4750 for more information.

Caregiver support in Barnstable

Caregivers for seniors are invited to attend a support meeting at Barnstable Senior Center, Route 28 in Hyannis, every other Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. To register, call Bobbie Jordan at Elder Services at 508-394-4630 ext. 181.

HIV/AIDS testing, counseling

The Cape Cod Free Clinic & Community Health Center offers free, confidential testing for HIV and AIDS at its Falmouth and Mashpee offices. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 508-540-2949.

Veterans, take note

The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering prescription refills over the Internet with MyHealthVet, a personal online record system for veterans that tracks prescriptions, health records, insurance and more. Visit www.myhealth.va.gov for more information.

Independence House hosts support groups

Independence House in Hyannis sponsors a domestic violence support group at the office in Falmouth Hospital on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.; a children's empowerment group on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the office in Hyannis; and a self-esteem focus group on Thursdays at the Hyannis office at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 508-771-6507.

To learn more about hospices and end-of-life services, you can schedule a presentation for your organization by Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod. Call 508-957-0200, ext. 306.

Exercise at the VNA

Stop by the Visiting Nurse Association in Dennis on Route 134 to take part in the Young at Heart exercise program. A minimal fee is charged and a doctor's note is necessary. The program is also offered at the Brewster facility. Call 877-267-7700 for more information.

Driver Rehabilitation Program

Those whose driving ability has been compromised by illness, injury or normal aging are invited to take part in the roadSMART Driver Rehabilitation Program being offered through the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands in East Sandwich. For more information, call 508-833-4000.

Women's free health screening

The Women's Health Network of the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod in cooperation with local health care providers is offering free breast and cervical cancer screening services to uninsured and underinsured low-income women age 40 to 64. Call 888-557-9994.

Dial a line for help

Cape Cod Healthcare's mental health arm, Behavioral Health Services of Cape Cod Healthcare, has a one-stop telephone line (888-986-4BHS) allowing easier access to comprehensive mental health services. The service offers help for those dealing with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and other concerns.

The Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod has a 28-foot van that travels throughout the Cape to link underserved individuals and families with health education and preventive screening services. Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and more may be tested at the van. The VNA also offers interpretation and tele-interpretation in five languages: Portuguese, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Persian and Italian. Training classes are also available in Choke Saver Certification. Stop by the Thriftique thrift shop on Route 28 in the South Yarmouth Plaza near the Registry of Motor Vehicles for bargains.

VNA offers exercise class

Join a Young at Heart exercise class for a 10-week run and improve your ticker in just one hour, twice a week. A small fee and doctor's approval are needed. Senior Care Management Services are offered by the VNA. For an assessment of health care needs, call 877-267-7700. A Young at Heart Senior Weight Training program is held twice a week for 12 weeks.

Bereavement groups

The Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod Hospice Bereavement Program offers a support group designed for men who have lost a loved one. The group meets at the South Dennis office of the VNA, 434 Route 134. A Bereaved Parents Support Group for those who have lost children meets Mondays at 1 p.m. at the VNA, 67 Ter Heun Drive. Volunteers are available for childcare. Other bereavement support groups are available, including those for loss of a pet, parent, grandchild or friend. Call 800-978-0838 for details.

Alzheimer's support in Dennis

Eagle Pond Rehabilitation and Living Center of South Dennis hosts an Alzheimer's Support Group on the second Wednesday of the month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Call 508-385-6034 for more information.

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